The enormous box, which despite its enormity clearly also had an exension charm on it!

The yarn - wonderful colours (my favourite) of KnitPicks Palette. Perfect for stranded jumpers, and I think there is enough here for a whole one!

Venetian goodies - a beautiful ceramic carnival mask to hang on my wall, and a scarf/wrap. Hermione, I'm going to hang the wrap above my bed - it's perfect for that space, and will remind me of my dream of one day visiting Venice. :0)

Amazingly crafted horcruxes, and related bits and bobs. The yarn caddy is awesome - with a removeable strap, and I love the colours. Just perfect for me! A basilisk fang, and Tom Riddle's Diary containing wonderfully blank (unlined) pages for my design notes. Yay! The tiara (Ravenclaw's diadem?) will go to my niece for whom it is perfectly suited. There's also some wonderful golden snitch stitchmarkers, beautifully handcrafted by Hermione, for a Harry horcrux. Finally a lovely little pot of Wilton's food colour for dyeing with. Green of course!!

These flames of Fiendfyre are my favourite thing of all. They are the cutest, most adorable amigurumi thing I have ever seen! I love, love, love them!!!

3 knitted cloths, one with the Harry Potter logo, one with Riddle's Diary (with 'Tom Marvolo Riddle' knitted into it), and one with Ravenclaw's diadem knitted onto it. Very useful in my houseful of little ones! And some KnitPicks cable needles (wonderful - I haven't seen these before!), and a Knitpicks fixed circular. :0)

Finally, my very own diadem, a beautifully knitted hat. I've become a knitted hat addict you know, and love to rotate through my collection, rarely going out bareheaded!

So Hermione, how on earth do I thank you for this incredible generosity? I feel so loved by these gifts, and you've no idea how much that means to me. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!!!

Sunday, 14 November 2010

I apologise for my long silence here. I know you understand it, and thank everyone for the messagesof sympathy I have received. They have been very comforting, especially the lovely statue Clara sent me, 'Forever in my Heart', which expresses so beautifully how I feel about my Dad.

Anyway - this is my response to last week's activity, albeit a day late:

1. To which prison was Gellert Grindelwald sent after he was defeated by Dumbledore in 1945?

Nurmengard

2. Who is the first casualty in The Deathly Hallows?
Charity Burbage

3. What does Draco Malfoy name his son?
Scorpius

4. Before Harry gains control of it, who is the master of the Elder Wand?
Draco Malfoy

5. Severus Snape’s Patronus takes the same form as which other character’s?
Lily Potter

6. Where do Ron, Hermione and Harry apparate when Death Eaters invade Bill and Fleur’s wedding?
Tottenham Court Road

7. Who does Harry send to search for Mundungus Fletcher and the missing locket?
Kreacher

8. Who destroys Salazar Slytherin’s locket?
Ron

9. What does Hermione use to destroy Helga Hufflepuff’s cup?
Basilisk fangs

10. Following the death of Lord Voldemort, who is named temporary Minister of Magic?
Kingsley Shacklebolt

Monday, 20 September 2010

It's a new term at Hogwarts and already I am getting behind with my homework! Alas I have too many extra-curricular activities keeping me from my quill and parchment, so shan't be able to do the set homweork to get to know my classmates as it looks like a very time-consuming task. I have very much enjoyed reading all the messages I've received from fellow students who were giving the assignment the proper effort.

The last few days I have had various freinds and family staying with me as we were all attending a course of advanced magic together. Houseguests included my brother and his wife, a young cousin of ours, and a friend who flew over from Switzerland especially to be with us. It was lots of fun being with them and we all learned so much on the course.

Recently I published a new shawl pattern of which i am very proud. My dear sister, Lizzie Wychwood, knitted the sample and it was modeled (in my garden) by a good friend of ours.

Friday, 20 August 2010

Ambyr's owl arrived on Monday with this fantastic kit. Alas, I have been so busy working and minding Lizzie's children and my children since then that now is the first opportunity I have had to take pictures to show you. Ambyr is a very patient and kind witch, and I thank her for her forbearance waiting for this, especially as I hate waiting myself for folk to post about kits I have sent!

Of course, Ambyr did a stunning job with the kit, having clearly done her homework about my preferences. This led to the most amazing handsewn project bag, done in my most favourite colour with a snakelike pattern. It is lined with a lovely acorn patterned fabric. :0)

Pictured with the bag are the yarns (Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in green and pinks) and a tea-cosy pattern to go with them. The yarn colours are 'avocado', 'carnation', and 'hollyberry'. Although I do love the cosy I hope you don't mind Ambyr if I do something of my own designing with this beautiful yarn?

As you can already see, Ambyr made a nature kit for me. Hence these very lovely fish and butterfly-inspired stitchmarkers (I adore butterflies!) that Ambyr made especially for me. Note that the fish are in Hogwarts House colours!

Ambyr also included some M&Ms, which the boys promptly helped me to eat. There is nature inspired food too - some gourmet shell pasta (included because Ambyr is in Shell Cottage). Other nature treats include the 'Sea Garden' hand cream and a Bonsai kit (Mr. Wigworthy will love growing this while I am not to be allowed near it as I am bad news for plants!), as well as some very welcome soak sachets (I love this product - so kind to wool, and very easy to use).

Ambyr, this is a most delightful kit for which I wholeheartedly thank you! You are so, so kind! :0)

Saturday, 24 July 2010

On 23rd August I am part of a team of 8 spinners and knitters who are attempting to break the worls record for fastest time from sheep to sweater! We have the world's fastest knitter (yes, really!) on the team, and some renowned spinners, and, um, me! So we're going to do it, right? ;0)

Problem is, magical means are not permitted. We are not even allowed to wash and comb the fleece! So, I had a lesson earlier this week with a good friend of mine from Bradford Guild who is an expert in long-draw technique, the fastest way to spin by far. See, even though I first learned spinning nearly 25 years ago now, my usual worsted technique is known as 'inch-worm'! Anyway, Freyalyn got me going well, and by the end of the session I was spinning yards in seconds rather than minutes!

Freyalyn spinning (with a spindle) with another friend at Woolfest 2 years ago (Freyalyn is the witch facing us in this picture, if she hasn't wandered off that is...):

In Swap News I can reveal that I have now received three separate owl deliveries in the last week for Wisty's kit!